No doubt about it -- some of the best cowboys come straight from Jennifer Ryan's imagination. Lucky for us Ryan pens these visions for all of us to enjoy. Perfect case in point is HER LUCKY COWBOY which is at times a rather poignant tale of dysfunctionality in families and the consequences of abusiveness. Jennifer Ryan clearly speaks to all of us about how fragile children are and how affected they are by verbal and of course physical abuse -- but she targets another equally important variable in a child's life neglect.

In HER LUCKY COWBOY Jennifer Ryan clearly illustrates just how defining neglect can be and then she moves to show us just how strong the instinct to survive can be in even a very young child. People derive strength from the many variables in our environment. Adults pit one child against another. Adults use abuse to control. Notice I am not solely pointing to parents since in HER LUCKY COWBOY there are other adults equally to blame.

At first you might be fooled into thinking HER LUCKY COWBOY is a cute little romantic tale about a rodeo star whose career is quickly ended with an accident in the bull ring and the lovely young doctor who valiantly comes to his aid. Wow would you be wrong. That scenario just barely scratches the surface of the story that Jennifer Ryan has to tell in this absolutely amazing story of strength in the face of cruelty. I absolutely could not put this one down. HER LUCKY COWBOY is part of Ryan's Montana Menseries. I had already read and reviewed At Wolf Ranch which blew me away so when I spotted this one book I knew I had to get it.

Okay now onto a little glimpse into the story in HER LUCKY COWBOY. Dane Bowden was actually thinking this bull ride was going to be his last -- if -- and that was always a big if he won the contest and the big money. He needed that money if he were going to move onto the next step of his life and that was run the ranch now owned by his parents. His siblings had all moved on to their own lives -- married and starting families so now it was his time to settle down. He was ready but if truth were told he would have preferred ending his career on a better note. He was riding a nasty bull -- is there any other kind -- that charged Dane after the ride. The rodeo clowns were having trouble managing the bull. But out of the stands comes Dr. Bell who is intent on helping Dane.

Not the first time Bell helped Dane. Dane has had memories of an angel who helped him many years ago -- an angel with the bluest eyes. That angel was Bell. But there was nothing angelic about Bell's life.

Now many years later Dane and Bell's lives have once again connected and this time Dane is determined to get to know his angel better. But there is much about Bell and her family that has been kept as a secret. Her very existence has been rather guarded. There truly isn't anyone who cares about this young woman -- she has carefully remained on the fringe of life with one amazing exception. Bell is a genius -- and an exceptionally talented doctor. Her patients adore her and admire her. Bell's life is at work. She has no personal life.

And here's where the story grabs at your heartstrings and holds on to the very bitter end.

The Montana Men series is strong and hard hitting. Jennifer Ryan does not pull punches. Her writing is visual and visceral. You can't get better than this and so my word is clear -- run don't walk and get HER LUCKY COWBOY and if you can catch up on the rest of this series.